This was revealed by the show’s creators, David Benioff and DB Weiss, at an event at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

Announcing Sheeran's casting, Benioff and Weiss said they had been trying to get Sheeran because "Game Of Thrones " actor Maisie Williams was a fan.

“For years, we tried to get Ed Sheeran on the show to surprise Maisie, and this year we finally did it,” Benioff said.

The 26-year-old confirmed the news by sharing a link about his casting on twitter, and writing: “Guess the cat’s out the bag”

It was recently confirmed that the fantasy show will return for its penultimate season in July.

A first look at the season suggests dark times and a great war ahead.

Unlike past seasons which had 10 episodes, the upcoming season will have seven episodes, while the eighth which is expected to be the final season will have six episodes.